Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category

27 Jun

Proof of Change

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Bible, Change, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Gospel, Grace, Obedience, Politics, renewal, Repentance, Salvation, Truth, Uncategorized, Witness.

The month of June is almost over, and I haven’t spent any serious time fishing. Along with that, we have only had the camper out once this year, and that was mostly to see if everything worked. Maybe living beside the lake is a hindrance to both fishing and camping. Could that be it? Note: If you have ever wanted to know more about this place called Lake Ericson, check out the current edition of Nebraska Life Magazine.

It is being reported on some media sources that a certain presidential candidate has recently become a Christian. It is not my place to judge a person’s heart, but I can go to God’s word and read verses that help us to know if a person is truly a follower of Jesus Christ. We can pray these reports are true, and the Bible tells us we can know if a person is a Christian. I will share some of the evidences of true belief this week.

A new Christian is not perfect. Neither are older Christians. We all have the tendency to sin, even after being spiritually reborn. But here are things we should see in one who calls himself a follower of Jesus Christ.

The first step, confession, is found in Romans 10:9; That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Confession is to first confess to God that I am a sinner, followed by confessing that Jesus is Lord of all.

Confession is followed by repentance. This is a change of direction. To repent is to stop going away from God, and to turn toward him. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)! The evidence of this change shows up in what is called the fruit of the Spirit. It consists of these: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). There are others, but space here is limited.

Finally, we know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands (1 John 2:3).

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

13 Jun

The Remedy

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Cross, Evil deeds, Faith, God's Word, Gospel, Obedience, Salvation, Sin, Temptation, The Good News, Uncategorized.

It seems every conversation begins with a discussion of the weather. Hot and windy are two words that come to mind in describing last week. We did receive some showers of rain here Sunday evening and early Monday morning.

Virginia Creeper, aka woodbine, is a plant that grows in many places. Just across the street from our house is a large lilac bush. A woodbine plant at some point had taken root under the lilac and grew to cover the top of the lilac. The woodbine plant does not attach itself to the host plant, but uses its host as a trellis to climb. Instead of taking nutrients from the host plant, it just cuts off the sunlight, effectively killing its host.

We can see a parallel in the Bible’s definition of sin in the life of a person. Much like that vine, sin in our lives blocks out the light of God’s word, and the commands of Jesus to walk in the light of His truth. It keeps us from growing and if left unattended, it can lead to spiritual death.

Let us see what the Bible says regarding the effects of sin, and its remedy. Referring to someone giving in to the temptation to sin, James wrote this: “After desire has been conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15).

In another place we read, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:2). Again, Jesus speaking, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).

By the way, the remedy for ridding the lilac of the invader, was to cut the woodbine plant off near the ground, and apply weed killer to the stump. The remedy for sin is the application of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, where his shed blood won the victory over sin and the devil.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Let us then walk in the light of His salvation, separating ourselves from the darkness of sin.

In His Light,
Pastor Jerry

6 Jun

On Aging

Posted by sandhillspastor in Change, Christian Living, Fellowship, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Uncategorized.

Hello all,
Last Friday, I found myself sitting with an old friend in front of an eating establishment in a neighboring town. We were just sitting and talking about the old days…Wait! I’m not that old am I? Oh, I do remember something in the Bible about wisdom and gray hair. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding” (Job 12:12); “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29). Maybe that describes my friend and myself after all.

On the subject of aging, hearing loss is part of that process, especially for those of us who have had long-term exposure to noisy tractors, etc. Last fall, I became the owner of hearing aids, and the audiologist told me I would hear sounds I hadn’t heard for a while. What he said is true, and they do work well in a one-on-one situation, but in a crowd of people you hear mostly noise.

Maybe it is much the same for hearing God’s voice. If we haven’t heard from Him for a time, it may be time to get away from the noise of the crowd (think world), and tune in to what He is saying. I don’t think hearing aids are necessary to hear God’s voice, but you do need to get away from the loud sounds of the busy world.

Elijah the prophet, heard God’s voice at the mouth of a cave. In 1 Kings we read of his experience. After spending the night in a cave, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, asking why he was there. Elijah is told to stand on the mountain as the Lord passes by. We read this, “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks… but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake… after the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave” (1 Kings 19:9-13). Then he heard the Lord speak.

Has it been some time since you heard the gentle whisper of God’s voice? Just find a quiet place and listen.

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

30 May

Reflections

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Culture, Evil deeds, Forgiveness, Freedom, Giving, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Memorial Day, Obedience, Service, Sin, Uncategorized.

As I write this morning, it is Memorial Day. Yesterday (Sunday), here at the lake, there was a program honoring our veterans and those who gave all for our country. It was interesting to hear some of the veterans tell their stories of service, and I was reminded again of the sacrifices made to keep our country free. At the same time, I was reading on social media of the vandalism of patriot displays and cemeteries around the country. It makes one ask, “what is wrong with people today who have no respect for these things? Actually, the answer is found in the Bible. It starts in the hearts of people. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it” (Jeremiah 17:10)?

As I look out my window, I see the lake. Its surface is completely still this morning, and reflects the trees along the edge, and the sky above. It is much like a mirror. Many years ago, somewhere I remember reading that the color of the water on a given day, is a reflection of the sky. Sunny days, it appears to be blue. On gray cloudy days, the water is seen as dark and gray. I think this relates to my opening comment concerning the behavior of people. What we see in their words and actions are a reflection of their heart.

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).

Christians are to reflect the character and actions of the Lord Jesus. We are to be a mirror image of the One whose name we bear. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…” (Romans 8:29).

“And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:49). “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness…” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

It is not possible for any person to consistently exhibit right behavior without Christ in his or her heart. It is hard enough sometimes for the Christian to do so.

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

9 May

The Bible Is Not Buffet

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Gospel, Law, Obedience, The Good News, Uncategorized, Wisdom.

Good day,
It’s a lovely morning here on the shores of Lake Ericson. I’m reminded of an old Johnny Cash song, as we were blessed with a little more rain last evening… “Five Feet High and Rising.” We have two rain gauges about 30 feet apart. One showed 1.25”, and the other one, 2.50”. Go figure.

High school graduation was held locally this past weekend. We attended several receptions afterward, and the food selection at each one was different and delicious. People were able to select food items that appealed to them, and free to pass on others. The secret, I find, is to pace oneself, and not eat your fill at the first place. This is good advice for those attending multiple post-graduation events on the same day.

There are those folks who approach the Bible as if it were a buffet, or a supermarket. They pick and choose those parts that satisfy their appetites, and leave the rest. I have news: The Bible is not a buffet. I believe we can liken it to the spiritual equivalent of a completely balanced diet. God told his people long ago that “man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

The apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

In the Psalms, we read “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8). “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).

God gave Moses these instructions for the people of Israel: “Assemble the people… so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 31:12).

Going back to Paul’s instructions to Timothy, we read; “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Correctly handling the Word would include using the whole Bible, from cover to cover.

The Bible is not a buffet. Christians are not to pick and choose which parts to obey. All scripture is useful and to be used.

On His Word,
Pastor Jerry

2 May

On Staying Together

Posted by sandhillspastor in Body of Believers, Christian Living, Family of God, Fellowship, Obedience, Temptation, Uncategorized.

Dear readers,
It looked like the same song, second verse this weekend, as we continued to receive rain. Many of the yards in the community look like ponds.

The resident geese have been bringing their goslings to the grassy areas along the Boulevard here at the lake. I have noticed some of the goslings have disappeared. I suspect they may have been eaten by the Northern Pike that inhabit the lake. It seems sad, but it is the way of nature. As we watch these geese and their goslings swimming across the lake, the little ones will sometimes lag behind, or even go off in a different direction from the rest. It is easy to see how one might become a pike’s lunch.

As I have observed these goose families, I am reminded that the Scriptures tell Christians to stay in close fellowship with other believers, in order to keep from wandering off the path. Peter tells us our enemy the devil is like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

In the book of Hebrews, we are told “Let us not give up meeting together, but let us encourage one another…” (Hebrews 10:25). I believe this would indicate we are to help the stragglers and those wandering from the path.

Paul’s instructions to the Galatian church include these words: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently” (Galatians 6:1).

“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). “We urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). I believe these passages point out the dangers of either straying from God’s path, or getting separated from the fellowship of believers. Those who lag behind or insist on setting out on their own risk being devoured by the enemy. In the case of goslings, it might be a predatory fish or even a coyote or raccoon. The believer separated from Christian fellowship may fall into the devil’s trap.

Christians are to participate in the fellowship of believers, but we also have a responsibility restore those who have drifted away.

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

11 Apr

The Winds of Spring

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Gospel, Holy Spirit, renewal, Salvation, The Good News, Uncategorized.

More signs of spring have appeared. The ornamental trees around the lake are either blooming, or heavily budded. There is a report of the first hatch of wild goslings. Now if we could get over having freezing temperatures at night, we might believe spring is really here.

One thing that seems constant this time of year is the wind. Wind is something we really can’t see, but we can certainly see the results of its presence. The Holy Spirit of God has been described as a wind. A very strong wind can at times cause great damage, but a person controlled by the Holy Spirit, on the other hand is a force for good.

In Jesus’ conversation with a man named Nicodemus, he described the Holy Spirit this way: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8).

To the woman at the well, Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).

A Christian under the influence of the Holy Spirit is equipped to do great good in the name of the Lord. Spiritual rebirth comes about through the work of the Holy Spirit. An illustration of the Spirit at work might look like a windmill turning by the power of the wind, pumping water for a thirsty person. These are the words of Jesus: “Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him”. By this, he meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in him were later to receive. (John 7:38-39).

So, the next time you have trouble keeping your hat on because of the wind, just be reminded of the Holy Spirit at work in your life, and hang on to your hat.

In His grip,
Pastor Jerry

4 Apr

Working Out Your Salvation

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Blessings, Change, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Obedience, Planning, Service, Uncategorized, Work.

It is one of those times when spring seems to be held captive by the remains of winter. One day we think spring is here, the next feels very much like winter. The good news is the Creator designed our part of the world to have four seasons, and spring always follows winter, and so on. We need only to wait on His timing.

Several months ago, actually almost a year and a half by now, I began to feel it was time for me to retire from full-time ministry. It appears that time is very close. More details will come in a later column, but for now, this is all I want to say. This may be a good lead-in to this week’s article.

In Paul’s letter the church at Philippi, he says this, speaking to his readers: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Later in the letter, we read this: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose” (2:12-13).

Here are some thoughts on these verses that apply to all believers. First, when God calls us and we respond by placing our faith in His Son, he begins a work in us that ends when he calls us home. His command is that we “work out” our salvation. This means we commit to living our life for Him. It is not that we work ‘for’ our salvation, that is impossible. It does mean His plan for us will be carried out. We do not do this on our own. Verse 13 of chapter 2 reminds us that it is He who works in us to enable us to complete the task he has set before us.

Remember Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

As we allow Him to bring about His good purpose, he may change our direction from time to time. And if he does, there is one thing of which we can be sure, He is working to bring to completion the work He began in us. True retirement comes when He takes us home to glory.

Serving Him,
Pastor Jerry

28 Mar

Ready or Not?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel, Law, Obedience, Possessions, Salvation, The Good News, Uncategorized.

The storm last week left us with an estimated 12” of snow here in our back yard. I thought I was prepared for snow, but my preparations were incomplete. I had put the snow-blower on the tractor, but instead of putting the tractor in the shed, I let it sit out. Big Mistake! Next morning, I could hardly see the tractor for the snow piled on top of it.
It seems many of our preparations stop short of being complete. Here is an another example of something that happens occasionally at our house. I enjoy cooking now and then. My meal planning usually involves meat and potatoes, but when those items are nearly ready, my wife will ask, “What are we going to have for a vegetable? Incomplete preparation on my part—again. So we wait for the veggies, while the meat and taters cool.
 Some lack of preparation may bring temporary inconvenience or discomfort, but what about our preparations for eternity? Is it possible to make incomplete plans for what happens after this life? I believe there are many who believe there is life after death, but sadly, their plans for it have come short of completion.
Three of the gospel writers recorded a conversation Jesus had with a young man. The man’s question was, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“All these I have kept”, the young man said. What do I still lack?”
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matthew 19:16-22).
You see, keeping the 10 commandments does not bring salvation. First of all, it is impossible to keep them, and second, eternal life is not gained by keeping a list of rules. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. The young man in our story had made incomplete preparations, and was unwilling to do the one thing required. That one thing was to be willing to give up everything and follow Jesus. Since he would not complete the requirement, he was lost.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
In Truth,
Pastor Jerry

21 Mar

Leaves or Fruit?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, God's Word, Gospel, Hypocrisy, Obedience, Repentance, Sin, Uncategorized.

After a cool end to the week, I’m looking forward to some more spring-like temperatures. Grass has been greening up, and the daffodils are blooming. It seems that spring is in the air. Now, as I write this, they are calling for snow on Wednesday. We’ll see.

Good Friday is this week, and Easter will be observed the first day of next week. Today, I would like to share some thoughts from this past Sunday’s message. It concerns the cleansing of the temple by the Lord Jesus the day after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and how it applies to each of us.

Our scripture passage is Mark 11:12-18: Having seen a fig tree with leaves and no fruit, Jesus condemns it for hypocrisy. Then upon reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it a den of robbers.” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

Matthew tells us that when the religious leaders were challenged about their disrespect for God’s house, they challenged Jesus’ authority to kick out the money changers, heal the sick and forgive the sinners (Matthew 21:23). When he pointed out their hypocrisy, they may have been afraid he would throw them out next. Instead of making peace with him, they planned to kill him.

What is our response when Jesus, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, exposes hypocrisy in our lives? Do we desire to make peace with him, or do we want to deny the hypocrisy and kill him to preserve our double life?

Are we bearing fruit, or are we just showing an abundance of leaves?

Are we that much different than the crowds on the day he entered Jerusalem as the triumphant king? How many times have we proclaimed him King and Lord, and then turned our backs on him to remain loyal to the world?

Wondering,
Pastor Jerry

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